Update on the World Outgames

＜English＞

Translated by faiyaque

Last year I had gone to Copenhagen, where I interviewed volunteers with this year’s World Outgames. (Japanese article here; English article to be posted soon!) Well, just a couple weeks ago, on August 2nd, the games came to their official end, so I just wanted to post a bit here about what went on at the event.

As many of you may have already heard, unfortunately there were two disruptive and homophobic incidents at this year’s games.

On Friday, July 24th, three Outgames attendees making their way to an opening event were attacked by two men and on Tuesday, July 28th an American athlete was taken to the hospital after suffering injuries to his hand caused by an explosive device thrown into Østerbro Stadium.
Fortunately, attendees injured in each of the above attacks sustained only minor injuries and the persons responsible have all been arrested.

The event was continued as planned and concluded with much celebration on August 2nd. Outgames director Uffe Elbaek did however release a statement specifically addressing the violent incidents: "This is another example of what homosexuals face in the world when they are unprotected. This also shows why an event like the Outgames is absolutely necessary."

News of a violent shooting at gay and lesbian center in Tel Aviv has also shocked the world. On the night of August 1st, a man wearing a ski mask entered the LGBT community center filled with youth and opened fire, killing two people and wounding 15.

Just as Elbaek said, it is clear that today we still live in an era where sexual minorities throughout the world are ruthlessly killed and assaulted, and LGBT activism is desperately needed now just as much as ever.

At Tokyo Wrestling we will keep reporting on lesbian culture of all over the world, and hope to contribute in our own way to the eradication of homophobia and more understanding of issues faced here in Japan and around the world!